Appreciation post: Tried a coffee rub on brisket for the first time and it was a total game changer

Mixed some finely ground dark roast with my usual salt and pepper, and the bark got insanely dark and flavorful without burning. Anyone have other unexpected rub ingredients that actually work?

3 comments

3 Comments

corar782mo ago

Tried adding a little brown sugar and chili powder to my pork shoulder rub last year. The sugar caramelized into this sticky, sweet crust that balanced the heat perfectly. It was a total accident, I just ran out of paprika. Now I keep a container of that mix ready to go. Works on chicken thighs too, gives them that takeout-style glaze.

lindaw292mo ago

Wait, what coffee-to-spice ratio did you use?

parkerrodriguez25d ago

Throw in some ground cumin next time with that brown sugar and chili powder mix. I did that by accident once when I grabbed the wrong jar and now it's my go-to for pork. The earthy flavor from the cumin just ties everything together, especially if you smoke low and slow. For brisket, I've been adding a tiny bit of cocoa powder to my coffee rub, like a teaspoon for a full packer. Sounds weird but it deepens the roastiness without making it taste sweet. Just gotta be careful not to overdo it or it gets bitter fast.